Crimea and Indian Mutiny memorial

Opposite the west entrance of Westminster Abbey is a tall marble and stone column, erected in 1861 and designed bySir George Gilbert Scott, which remembers former pupils of Westminster School who died in the Crimean War 1854-1856 and the Indian Mutiny 1857-1858. At the top is a figure of St George slaying the dragon, carved by J.R. Clayton, with statues of St Edward the Confessor, Henry III, Elizabeth I and Queen Victoria, carved by J. Birnie Philip. The stonework was cleaned and many inscriptions re-incised in 2017.

Four lions flank the base around the following inscriptions:

North side:

To the memory of those educated at Westminster School who died in the Russian and Indian wars A.D. 1854-1859 on the field of battle or from wounds or sickness, some in early youth, some full of years and honours but who all alike gave their lives for their country. This column was erected by their old schoolfellows in token of sorrow for their loss and of pride in their valour and in full assurance that the remembrance of their heroism in life and death will inspire their successors at Westminster with the same courage and self- devotion